Protective appliance.



No. 683,639. Patented Oct. I, I90l. W. P. CRUCKETT.

PROTECTIVE APPLIANCE.

{Applimtion Med Jun 12, 1901.)

(No Nodal.)

INVPENTO'R.

Maw MW ATTORNEY.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM P. CROCKETT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PROTECTIVE APPLIANCE.

SPECIFICATION forming paxt of Letters Patent No. 683,639, dated October 1901- Application filed June 12, 1901.

cil of fusible material is extended between two fixed ends, the said ends having means by which they are secured in an electric circuit and constitute a portion of the same when in its normal condition, but adapted to be blown or fused when a current of predetermined voltage traverses the circuit.

The invention has reference to that form of protective devices in which the fuse is inclosed in a tube whose interior is preferably filled with some non-conducting and non-inflammable material, the fuse extending through the center of the cylinder or tube and supported at each end; and the invention is also applicable to open or non-inclosed fuses. With such protective devices there has been more or less trouble caused by an are forming between the melted ends of the fuse and continuing for an indefinite time, sometimes with serious loss to surrounding property.

My invention aims to quickly separate the ends of an exploded fuse before an arc can be formed; and to this end the invention consists in attaching one end of the fuse to the fixed end of the inclosing tube, and the opposite end thereof is secured to a spring-actuated movable part, and when. the fuse is partially melted or weakened by the heat of a foreign or abnormal current the said pivoted spring-actuated movable part draws the fuse asunder and pulls the end thereof which is attached thereto quickly away and widely separates the severed ends of the fuse.

The invention also contemplates an annunciator-shutter to indicate to the observer that the fuse has blown, and also contemplates an alarm device in connection with said shutter, all of which I will now proceed to describe, and point out in the claims.

In the drawings which illustrate the invention, Figure 1 is an end view of a construction of protective device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a section on line y y of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section on line :0 w of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section on line y y of Fig. 1 and Serial No. 64,237. (No model.)

illustrates the operation of the fuse. Fig. 5 is a side view of a modification, and Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9 also represent views of modified forms of apparatus.

In the drawings, a represents a base-block, of insulating material, upon which is secured the protective device A, which cansists of the two uprights c and 0 provided with bent ends, through which the screws 1 1 pass to secure the device to the base-block. b is a cylinder, of insulating material, whose ends rest inside the projecting rings on the inner surfaces of the uprights 0 0 On the outer surface of the part c are two lugs 2 2, between which is pivoted the movable shutter 4, provided with the lugs or ears 5 5, which register with the lugs 2 2 and inside of the same. 8 is a spiral spring, one end of which is secured tothe part 0 while the opposite end is secured to the shutter t. A pin 3 extends through the said ears and springs and holds them in place. The springs-is arranged so that it tends to hold the shutter in a downward position, and when the shutter is raised the spring is put under tension.

F is a fuse, one end 6 of which passes through the end of the part c, to which it is soldered central with the tube b, and its opposite end passes through the part c and also through the shutter 4 and is soldered at 7 to the face of the latter when it is in the upward position,-as shown in Fig. 2. The fuse is preferably plated with copper on each end thereof, While a small portion in the center of its length 8 is left bare. By thus electroplating the fuse the point of least resistance to heat is located at the middle of its length. i

In the operation of the invention whenthe fuse becomes melted or much weakened by the heat of an abnormal current the spring 5, which always exercises a pull or strain on the fuse and keeps it taut, pulls the end which is attached to the shutter quickly away into the position shown in Fig. 4 and widely separates the severed ends of the fuse and prevents the formation of an arc. The shutter when in the fallen position denotes to an in specter or observer that the fuse has blown. An extension B on the top of the shutter may be arranged to serve as a more prominent indicator, and a contact-piece 12 may be fixed to fall upon an insulated metal piece 13 and close a local circuit 16, in which is located a of the invention. The upright parts and c as indicated, constitute the ends of the cylinder b and render the same practically airtight. The opening in the part c for the passage of the fuse permits a portion of the gas generated by the melting of the fuse to escape and prevent the rupture of the cylinder. The cylinder b is preferably filled with some non-conducting and non-inflammable material 20, such as asbestos or the like.

Figs. 6 and 7 are end and partial side views of a form of apparatus in which the end supports 0 have a spring 5 formed at the central part of its length and a hole made in its upper end, its foot is adapted to be screwed to a base, and the fuse is passed through the holes in the ends and the cylinder 1) and soldered. The spring is adapted to spring forward when the fuse becomes weakened or blown.

In Fig. 8 the supporting-piece has a spring 3 formed on its upper end, and when the fuse is to be soldered thereto it is compressed, and while in this condition exerts tension on the fuse and operates to pull its ends apart when it is blown.

v In Fig. 9 I have shown support-s at each end having springs, as in Figs. 6 and 7. In this case there is no inclosing cylinder, as in many places an open fuse is preferred, and my invention is applicable to open as well as inclosed fuses.

It will of course he understood that a spring may be applied at both ends of the fuse in all of'the forms represented.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination in a protective fuse, of a hollow cylinder or tube closed at both ends, a movable part hinged at one of said ends and held up thereto against spring tension; a fusible wire extending through the cylinder ends, one terminal thereof secured to'one of the cylinder ends and the other terminal attached to the said movable part.

2. The combination in a protective fuse, of i a hollow cylinder or tube closed at both ends, a movable part hinged to one of said ends and held up thereto against spring tension; a fusible wire extending through the cylinder ends, one terminal thereof secured to one I of the cylinder ends and the other terminal attached to the said movable part; whereby name to this specification, in the presence of when the fuse is weakened by the action of heat, the said movable part swings outward and draws that portion of the fuse attached thereto outward.

3. The combination in a protective fuse, of an insulating-tube closed at both ends and provided with means of attachment to an electric circuit, a movable part hinged at one end of the tube and held up thereto against.

the tension of a spring; a fusible wire extending through the cylinder ends one terminal of which is secured to one of the cylinder ends and the other terminal is attached to the said movable part so that the fuse is held by the tension of the spring.

4. The combination in a protective fuse, of an insulating-tube closed at both ends and provided with means of attachment to an electric circuit, a movable part adapted to operate as a signal hinged at one end of the tube and held up thereto against the tension of a spring; a fusible wire extending through the cylinder ends one terminal of which is secured to one of the cylinder ends and the other terminal is attached to the said'movable part, so that the fuse is held taut by the tension of the spring.

5. The combinationin a protective fuse, of a hollow cylinder or tube containing non-conducting and non-combustible material, and provided with means of attachment to an electric circuit, a movable part hinged to one end of the tube and held up thereto against the tension of a spring; a fusible wire extending through the cylinder ends, one terminal thereof secured to one of the cylinder ends and the other terminal attached to the said movable part.

6. The'combination in a protective fuse, of

an insulating-tube closed at both ends and.

provided with means of attachment to an electric circuit, a movable part adapted to complete alocalcircuit including a battery and a call-bell hinged at one end of the tube and held up thereto against the tension of a spring; a fusible wire extending through the cylinder ends, one terminal of which is secured to-one of thecylinder ends and the other to the said movable part so that the fuse is held taut by the tension of the spring. 7. The combination in a protective fuse, of

. a hollow cylinder or tube closed at both ends a movable part hinged to one of said ends and held up thereto against the tension of a spring; a fusible wire electroplated at both ends extending through the cylinder ends, 0116 terminal thereof secured to one of the cylinder ends, and the other terminal attached to the said movable spring-actuated part.

8. A fusible wire combined with suitable supports to become a part of an electric circuit, whose surface is electroplated except at the central part of its length.

9. As an article of manufacture, a fusible :wire whose surface is electroplated exceptat the central part of its length.

In testimonywhereof I have signed my two subscribing witnesses, this 7th day of June, 1901.

WILLIAM P. CROCKETT.

Witnesses ED CUMPsToN, L. S. NEWBEGIN. 

